PM seeks AG’s advice to take over controversial Batti University

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has sought the advice of Attorney General Dapula Livera on the taking over of the controversial Batticaloa campus, known as the Sharia University, to the government.

Sources from the Prime Minister’s office said he had instructed his secretary, Saman Ekanayake, to get a report on the matter from Attorney General Livera.

The Prime Minister is of the opinion that the institution could be taken over to the government under section70 (F) of the University Act.

The Prime Minister had also decided to seek advice from the Attorney General following the statements made by the authority of the institution which could give rise to ethnic and religious hatred.

The Prime Minister had already condemned a statement made by M. L. A. M Hizbullah earlier this week that Muslims are a majority globally though they are a minority in Sri Lanka. (Yohan Perera)